Late-night host Stephen Colbert used his Thursday broadcast of The Late Show to lament the end of Joe Biden’s term while joking about the potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration on his own career.
Colbert’s remarks came as he referred to the broadcast as the “last show of the Biden administration,” with Trump set to take office on January 20.
Colbert, a vocal critic of Trump throughout his first presidency, opened his monologue with a mix of humor and what he described as bittersweet emotions over Biden’s exit. “Yeah, it’s been a good run. It’s been a good run, Joe. Thank you. Thank you for all your efforts,” Colbert said to his audience. He went on to quip, “The next time you all see me, Donald Trump will be president. And you may not see me.”
BREAKING: Stephen Colbert says, “You might not see me again when Donald Trump becomes president.” pic.twitter.com/4QRd0uy4H4
— The General (@GeneralMCNews) January 17, 2025
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The CBS host described the moment as the “end of an era” and offered a semi-humorous take on the transition, saying, “Tonight, it’s just a little, little, a little bit of sweet and sour, a little semi-sweet chocolate chip. It’s the end of an era, because this is our last show of the Biden Administration.”
Colbert’s melodramatic BS on full display. He thinks Trump will end his show and put him away.
If only!😂😂pic.twitter.com/7dQjgqAfaw
— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) January 17, 2025
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Colbert has been one of late-night television’s most outspoken critics of Trump, often using his platform to attack the former president’s policies and character.
His Thursday remarks suggested he sees Trump’s return to the White House as a potential threat to his presence on air, though the comment appeared to be made in jest.
While Colbert joked about the possibility of being pulled off the air under Trump’s presidency, his ratings have faced challenges in recent years.
Critics have noted that The Late Show, once a program known for appealing to a broad audience, has increasingly focused on Colbert’s personal political views, particularly his opposition to Trump.
Conservative commentators have speculated that if Colbert’s show were to end, it would likely be due to declining viewership rather than political interference.
I do sometimes wish Trump were the monster they say he is. The fact that they casually make jokes about it shows they know they’ve been lying the whole time. https://t.co/yh2VxBpQwa
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) January 17, 2025
Fox News, which reported on Colbert’s remarks, highlighted his tendency to center his programming around Trump criticism, questioning whether his absence from late-night television would even be noticed by viewers.
During Trump’s first term, Colbert’s sharp criticisms and comedic jabs gained traction among audiences opposed to the administration.
However, the show’s focus on political commentary has also drawn criticism for alienating viewers seeking more neutral or lighthearted entertainment.
As Trump prepares to return to the presidency, Colbert’s comments suggest he anticipates continued clashes with the administration, both on-air and in public discourse.
The upcoming political transition raises questions about how Colbert and other late-night hosts will adapt their content in a media landscape often defined by sharp political divides.
While Colbert’s remarks on Thursday may have been intended as humor, they underscore the shifting dynamics between entertainment and politics as the Trump administration prepares to take office.
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Who the heck is Steve Colbert? How can someone I’ve never heard of disappear?
Another serendipitous reason to have voted MAGA!
I wish.
If Colbert is worried about disappearing, he has far more to fear from the Nielsen ratings and his bosses at CBS than from Mr. Trump.